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September 12, 2015

Pitt doesn’t kick off until 6pm. That seemed good up until last night when the rains came and temperatures plummeted. Now it looks to be raining on-and-off all day and into game time. Temperatures in the 50s. That’s what it will be like — at best — for most of Pitt’s home games that are back-loaded into November. So excited to get an early preview.

Still looking forward to heading down for the game. Much shorter drive than going to Pittsburgh. Not much for tailgating, but it is Akron. Hardly a destination city. Probably still better than being in the Muni lots for a Browns game.

 

Revenge is being downplayed a little. Not as much as it was with Youngstown State, given the recency of the Akron embarrassment.

You can’t help but talk about it, but the coaches, the way their mentality is, it’s just this game,” Orndoff said. “To us, there’s no other game after Akron. It’s all Akron right now. We’re not thinking ahead to Iowa or whatever. Right now it’s just Akron, 2015.”

The one wrinkle that makes tonight a bit different from last week, though, is that Pitt will be on the road against the Zips. This will mark the first time Akron has played host to a power-five conference team since Syracuse in 2010. That factor, plus the desire to double-down on the 2014 upset, could make for a good atmosphere.

As it stands, the Zips have sold and distributed almost 21,000 tickets for the 28,000 capacity stadium. Ticekts still available and with the weather, I’m betting there won’t be a shortage of people trying to unload them.

To say Akron needs this game for attendance is putting it mildly. Last year their total attendance was 55,019. To be fair, the Zips were not helped by ESPN MACtion putting 3 of their home games on a Tuesday night.

Akron is expecting lots of runs regardless of who is in the backfield.

“It forced them to put [Ollison] in and he got 207 yards, so it looks to me like it didn’t do a thing to them,” Bowden said of losing Conner. “I don’t think it changes their style. I don’t think it changes what they want to do. We knew we had to stop him last year. We figure we’ll have to stop this guy this year, so I’m not sure. It’s just a different jersey number. I don’t think it changes anything they want to do to us.”

Grice said one of the keys to stopping the run is for the Zips’ defensive ends to protect the edge along with the linebackers being there ready to clean plays up.

“We see them do a lot of tosses, so it’s going to be big on our defensive ends to hold the edge and linebackers to [come through],” he said. “We do pretty good with that, so as long as we stay true to ourselves and stay on our keys, we should be fine.”

And Pitt could have an advantage against UA’s defense. Former offensive line coach John Peterson now serves in the same position with Pitt.

“I would have to say that’s a disadvantage on us. We know how he likes to coach and block and all of those things,” Grice said, “so of course we’re going to tell our guys to watch this and watch that. But he knows us as a defense so he can tell his guys what our tendencies are, who to key on and all of that stuff.”

This is the final game in a 2-for-1 deal Pitt had. Akron took a significantly lower payout to play in Pittsburgh for Pitt to come here for that game. Oklahoma had to pay Akron $1 million for one game this year. Until the ACC goes to a 9-game schedule, don’t think that Pitt will never do another similar deal with a MAC, C-USA or even AAC team at some point in the next decade.

6pm on ESPN3.com for those of you not making it to the game.





Jackagain – I’m not defending slog ball. I’m pointing out it’s not a Pitt problem. It’s a college basketball problem. It’s a very ugly sport right now. Unlike the rest of the world, college basketball hasn’t advanced the sport. It’s the reason we’re getting a 30 sec shot clock this year and there will be an emphasis on freedom of movement.

It’s funny you mention the center because that’s where Pitt improved the most this offseason.

You can yell at Dixon all you want for that style but it’s the trend and style most teams run right now.

The fact is, this team stacks up very well to previous teams that had success.

Comment by Tossing Thabeets 09.13.15 @ 1:46 pm

1) I assume Hillgrove still does the Steeler games?

2) If you look at the Akron Beacon Journal, you will see the Buckeyes get way more PR than what Akron and Kent St get combine

3) it’s my understanding that those in Pgh are stuck with the Brown-Jets game; now you know what I have to put up with every Sunday (actually I don’t – I rarely watch the NFL these days. Thank God it’s a free Epix weekend)

Comment by wbb 09.13.15 @ 1:52 pm

Penguins Fan,
Bill Hillgrove, from Brookline, took over the play by play in the early to mid 70’s. I would listen to Billy on my transiter radio at Pitt Stadium during that time. He is definitely “slipping” but has earned the right to still be “The voice of the Panthers.” His days are certainly numbered however! Bill will be greatly missed by us old fogies when that day comes!

Comment by pittman4ever 09.13.15 @ 1:52 pm

met to add ..

4) yes the Akron AD pulled a Steve Pedersen even before anyone ever heard of SP, and fired a successful HC, only to replace him with an inferior product

Comment by wbb 09.13.15 @ 1:54 pm

I was at the game so I didn’t hear any commentary. The best offensive series of the game was the 2 min drill at the end of the first half. Pitt’s not talented enough yet to line up and play smash mouth football but a no huddle may be a great change of pace at times. Secondly, the offense and defense are not really separate teams. They compliment each other! The opposing team can’t score unless they have the ball and the offense is much more efficient when they have a short field.

Comment by T Bear 09.13.15 @ 2:30 pm

Yes, the ruby-throated Bill Hilgrove…top notch back in the day, but they need someone up in the bullpen getting loose.

Wow, how nice to see Blair and Render back in the lineup…Blair looks like he gained 20 pounds of muscle but kept his speed from last year. We have the makings of a pretty damn tough D when we start to really gell…but I agree with folks who think Pitts is a weak link and a deep pass TD waiting to happen. If it happens more than once, my guess is Narduzzi will pull the trigger and give Briggs or Lewis a start.

If Ollison doesn’t cramp up, I think we totally dominate that game, but it was good to get Hall some carries too. He looks quick and talented but seems to not wait for his blocks enough…not uncommon for young backs. If we have good weather in Iowa and James and Ollison healthy, I see us winning convincingly. 30-14 Pitt.

Comment by Matt N. 09.13.15 @ 2:54 pm

I need a memory check from someone: I seem to remember that Bill Hillgrove took over for Ed Conway. Is that right?????

Comment by pittman4ever 09.13.15 @ 3:00 pm

Yes, Bill was Colorado commentator with Ed Conway. When Ed died, Bill took over as Pitt commentator. Bill is a Pittsburgh boy having gone to Central Catholic and Duquesne University.

Comment by MariettaMike 09.13.15 @ 3:51 pm

That’s color commentator. I hate the iPhone spell correction.

Comment by MariettaMike 09.13.15 @ 3:52 pm

I checked my DirectTV guide for Saturday, and it shows PSU/Rutgers as the main game. They do have alternate channels available to show overlapping games though, although those are all listed as TBA.

I sat in the deluge yesterday, about the 45 yard line 4 rows off the field behind the Pitt bench. Man, those guys look big up close. I agree with T bear, that 2-minute drill was well run. I was a little nervous with Hall at running back, he seemed tentative but that could have been the weather. Holtz had a great game, and Jarret is playing very well.

Comment by KeyboardKev 09.13.15 @ 3:57 pm

Isn’t today the day Zachary Gilbert was supposed to announce his verbal commitment?

Comment by Dr. Tom 09.13.15 @ 4:08 pm

believe you’re right Doc, no Pat signal yet. Just a couple weeks ago, Pitt was considered a shoo-in, but Va Tech has entered the picture and is considered a serious contender.

Comment by wbb 09.13.15 @ 4:26 pm

Thanks Marietta!!!!!

Comment by pittman4ever 09.13.15 @ 4:28 pm

gilbert is taking his visits first. no announcement for a while

Comment by pittisit37 09.13.15 @ 4:43 pm

This upcoming game is a nice barometer for the program. Iowa is now considered to be a top30 team that the big10,11,12 is pushing because the big west is so week this year. Hopefully, all the headlines go to their heads and we can sneak a victory on the road. They had an emotional game against their in state rival. At rue in-state rival, not some other state.

Three point spread in favor of Iowa is typically the home field advantage, so the books are looking at the game as even. We just need to get bettr this week, period. As much as I love BBall talk, I get lost when we stray.

Comment by dhuffdaddy 09.13.15 @ 5:04 pm

Today vs Seattle — Aaron Donald had 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFL, and 3 QB hits … so what else is new.

According to Dokish — Pitt had 2 sack against YSU and Akron combined the last time they faced them, now they have 10. They had only 19 sacks all of last year … that’s astounding in a 13 game schedule

Comment by wbb 09.13.15 @ 5:16 pm

Said either a win at Iowa or VTech would set the year up for some nice success. Pitt wins with Connor. But the D with Whitehead and Mitchel is light years better than last year. Iowa will have to throw to beat Pitt. D line is really stout vs the run. Hopefully Biz and James ready to go.

Comment by Chethejet 09.13.15 @ 6:38 pm

Hillgrove needs to hang it up. Are they still paying Dick Groat and Billy. Don’t they save enough by not having to go to Adult Day Care on game day?

Comment by bob 09.13.15 @ 7:23 pm

This is a great read 24 houra after the fact. This thread should be nade into a movie for LMN.

As for the Hawkeyes, they will slug it out. WE MUST have more wide out action.

A JC wide receiver is a must for the off season. Lateef Grim will do just fine.

Comment by sfpitt 09.13.15 @ 7:42 pm

I want George Clooney to play me…and Gabby Hayes to play Bill Hillgrove. Howard Beale (Peter Finch) can play UPitt…

Comment by Jackagain 09.13.15 @ 8:18 pm

On Aaron “The” Donald, listen to the video too:

link to espn.go.com

Comment by Jackagain 09.13.15 @ 8:24 pm

Download the BTN2go app and you will be able to watch the game on Saturday. I have DirecTv and I will be able to get the game. You can do the same with other providers.

Comment by Oklahomeboy 09.13.15 @ 8:46 pm

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